Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 729 A Role Model for the Nation

"A tall tree catches the wind. Isn't he afraid that his actions will lead to his downfall and his own destruction?"

Yang Heng shook his head slightly when he saw the delivered journal.

When he first met Lu Zheng in Anguo, he felt that Lu Zheng was no ordinary Confucian scholar. He was able to easily destroy some of their arrangements in Anguo, which showed that Lu Zheng had great talent.

He thought that Lu Zheng would be cultivated by Anguo and become a pillar of the state, and would have a place in Anguo's officialdom, and would probably become a scourge to Wu in the future.

In retrospect, he had underestimated the situation; the other party's ambitions were far greater.

Moreover, this is not just a hidden danger for the Wu Kingdom...

He wondered if people in Anguo regretted having such a scholar.

Yang Heng murmured, "The Northern Region, why go to such a far place to establish some kind of peaceful world, and then try to spread these ideas? Do you really think it's safe there, that no one is targeting you? Do you really want to be an enemy of all the dynasties in the world?"

Yang Heng also admired Lu Zheng's courage. In just a few years, the other party had done many things that he dared not even imagine, and had grown to the point that he had to look up to him.

While Yang Heng was still sighing, in some parts of Wu, people had already prepared carriages and horses to embark on the journey to Taiping Domain.

More and more news about the Taiping Domain spread to the southern countries, allowing more and more people to learn about the situation there, and also making some people want to go north.

Among them were passionate young men, frustrated officials who had resigned from their posts, and reclusive old scholars...

The world is not lacking in pure idealists who uphold the righteous path; it's just that often there's a lack of an opportunity for these people to come together and unite into a force that cannot be ignored.

But now, such an opportunity has arisen.

No one could have predicted the enormous impact this would have on the world...

……

"This Lu Zheng, he really does give me a scare every now and then..."

Emperor Wei sat on a comfortable bench and tossed the periodical he had finished reading aside.

Recently, the entire state of Wei has been undergoing reforms and changes.

Because the national land tax was waived, Emperor Wei was still basking in the joy of being praised by the people and paid little attention to other matters.

As for the journal, he felt he had done enough. Some of the criticisms in it were directed at those princes and ministers who did not do their jobs properly, which had little to do with him, so there was nothing to be angry about.

Emperor Wei said leisurely, "There are very few people in this world who dare to speak so boldly, but now quite a few have suddenly appeared..."

"Buddha is merciful, descending to earth to save all sentient beings. I, too, wish to leave behind a good reputation. Go and show this journal to the other princes and ministers, so they can reflect on their actions, correct their mistakes if they have any, and strive to improve if they don't..."

"Stop doing nothing all day and being called a vampire by the people, which makes me tainted as well..."

"I want a prosperous and powerful Wei, to be a model for the world, do you understand?"

"Relay all my words to them."

Emperor Wei spoke calmly, but deep within his heart ignited a passion and fighting spirit he had possessed in his youth.

Now that someone is trying to stir up trouble, he should take a gamble and risk the fate of the nation to give the Great Wei a better future.

"As ordered!"

The palace servant beside him quickly responded and left with the journal.

……

Pingcheng, Wei Kingdom.

Lu Zheng accompanied Prince Huaiyang, Yuanzhong, to several places to inspect the reform process and offered many constructive suggestions.

After several days of investigation, Lu Zheng discovered that under the strong promotion of the Wei government, some of its policies were actually being implemented quite well. He just didn't know how long this situation could last.

On the carriage back to Pingcheng, Lu Zheng and Yuan Zhong rode together.

"The new policies still need a lot of supervision. Your Highness should spend less time chanting Buddhist scriptures in the mansion and more time going out and about. It will benefit both yourself and others..."

Lu Zheng sat there advising Yuan Zhong, "Whether you can achieve enlightenment or not depends not on how many times you recite scriptures, but on how many things you do."

Yuan Zhong nodded upon hearing this, saying, "Young friend Lu is absolutely right. I will go to the local areas more often to supervise..."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and raised his hand to take out a jade bead the size of a pigeon egg.

"This bead contains a trace of Buddhist nature. Your Highness can carry it with you, as it will aid in your Buddhist practice."

Yuan Zhong's eyes lit up, and he quickly accepted the prayer beads with a smile. He immediately sensed a mysterious Buddhist nature within them, which was indeed extraordinary.

Yuan Zhong couldn't help but ask curiously, "Where did you get this from? Could it be a gift from Buddha?"

Lu Zheng replied, "I killed some eminent monks who fled north. Their Buddhist cultivation returned to heaven and earth, but I gathered it together, and a portion of their power transformed into this bead... If we really want to talk about it, it can be considered a gift from Buddha."

After all, Lu Zheng couldn't condense Buddhist power into a pearl using his own methods; he could only do it by borrowing the primordial power given to him by the Buddha.

As for the other parts of the Buddhist power, he used them to replenish the Buddhist seal's energy.

Upon hearing Lu Zheng's explanation, Yuan Zhong's eyelids twitched involuntarily. It sounded like the methods used were rather terrifying.

"I see, then I'll shamelessly accept it!"

Yuan Zhong chuckled and tucked the Buddhist beads into his pocket. These things were truly useful to him, regardless of their origin.

Before long, Lu Zheng and his entourage returned to the Prince's Mansion.

As soon as he entered the mansion, a steward whispered something in Yuan Chong's ear.

Yuan Zhong's eyes brightened slightly, and he turned to look at Lu Zheng, saying, "I was thinking of visiting you when I have some free time, but I'm afraid I won't be able to manage it lately. So I called back some of my children and grandchildren who are away. I'd like to trouble you, young friend Lu, to take a look and see which ones are capable and let them come back to Taiping Domain with you to gain some experience!"

Lu Zheng had previously heard Yuan Zhong mention that he would select his children to undergo training, and it turned out that it wasn't just a polite remark.

Lu Zheng then said, "Life over there is a bit tough, and I won't take extra care of them. Talent isn't important; it's all up to them to choose!"

Yuan Zhong thought for a moment and said, "Whatever you say, but let them see you first, let's go, let's go..."

So, Yuan Zhong led Lu Zheng to a spacious hall to sit for a while.

A short while later, a manager arrived with a group of people.

At Yuan Zhong's invitation, his children and grandchildren, regardless of age or gender, all addressed Lu Zheng as "Master" while serving him tea.

It wasn't really a formal apprenticeship ceremony, but Lu Zheng accepted it anyway.

Lu Zheng glanced at these people and realized they were just a portion of Yuan Zhong's younger generation. They seemed to have been spoiled and pampered.

Later, during the selection process for those choosing to voluntarily go to the Taiping Domain for training, these royal family members were all forced to volunteer under the intimidating gaze of Yuan Zhong.

Yuan Zhong smiled and said to Lu Zheng, "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you a little more in the future. If they don't follow the rules, you can hit or scold them as you please, don't hold back."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Your Highness, rest assured, any mistakes will be punished. I have never been one to show mercy in my dealings."

The volunteers couldn't help but shudder when they heard this.

After all, they had all heard of Lu Zheng's reputation before, and seeing him like this now, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Yuan Zhong, on the other hand, chuckled and said, "Good, good, that's how it should be!"

He has many descendants, and his favorites are already doing business outside. He wouldn't feel too bad if the ones in front of him suffered in the past.

Moreover, he did indeed intend to train and cultivate these descendants, and also to get closer to Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng then briefly explained a few rules of the Taiping Domain to everyone, and then asked them to prepare so that they could go to the Taiping Domain together.

Then Lu Zheng went to find Miao Kong and the others.

In the past few days, Miaokong and his group have toured Pingcheng and gained a better understanding of the situation in Wei and other major dynasties.

Lu Zheng asked Miao Kong, "How is it? How do you feel about this place? If you wish, you can convert to Buddhism in Wei and cultivate here. However, if anything happens here in the future, that's your own business."

Miao Kong fell into deep thought. Pingcheng was the former capital of Wei. Some places might be much more prosperous than Taiping Domain, but overall, the ordinary people here did not live a good life.

As for Buddhism, he had a very detailed understanding of Mahayana Buddhism and inexplicably felt that some of the precepts of Buddhism were similar to some of the rules in the Taiping Domain.

Combined with the sudden appearance of Mahayana Buddhism in the Wei Kingdom, Miao Kong felt that Lu Zhengcai was the representative of the orthodox Buddhism.

Miao Kong couldn't help but whisper, "Do you have any connection with Mahayana Buddhism in Wei?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I would say so. Mahayana Buddhism has become prominent in the world because of me. Not many people know about this, but some people in Wei do."

Is this considered a little? Miao Kong's expression changed.

Although he had some suspicions, hearing Lu Zheng personally admit to this fact still made it difficult for him to calm down.

Miao Kong asked, somewhat puzzled, "Then why is it forbidden in the Taiping Domain...?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Didn't I already say? I'm banning the Buddhist community, not Buddhism itself. If Mahayana Buddhism wants to flourish there, it has to follow the rules. But the current Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are not what I endorse..."

"understood."

Miao Kong nodded, then said, "Some things are not something I can decide on my own. I need to go back and discuss them with others, and see what everyone decides."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "No problem, I can take you back anytime."

Miao Kong then said, "It's time to go back, so they won't worry."

It's been so many days since we came out, the people in the cave must be getting impatient.

After some discussion, Lu Zheng finalized the itinerary. After making only a few preparations, he led Miao Kong and the others, along with the royal family members, back to the Taiping Domain.

When Lu Zheng arrived in the southern region of Taiping Domain, he happened to run into Xu Shou, who was leading a group of people.

"Oh, Mr. Lu, it's been so long! Dingyuan has missed you terribly!"

Upon seeing Lu Zheng, An Dingyuan became instantly excited and rushed to Lu Zheng's side. "I've heard that you're doing great things in the Northern Region, and I've always wanted to come, but I couldn't refuse my official post in Hongzhou... Fortunately, His Majesty remembered me and sent me here to learn from you..."

"Hehe, I'm skilled in both literature and martial arts. How about I help you expand your territory and sweep away all the demon clan forces in the Northern Region..."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "You've become a Martial Saint?"

"Ah, uh, no..."

An Dingyuan couldn't help but smile and say, "Even you, sir, haven't become a saint, so how could I dare to become one!"

Lu Zhengdao: "Then what are you talking about, sweeping everything away? How many Great Saints of the Demon Clan can you defeat?"

An Dingyuan chuckled and said, "Just kidding, just kidding..."

Lu Zheng was too lazy to continue paying attention to An Dingyuan, who was acting like a clown as before, and instead walked towards Xu Shou.

Xu Shou smiled and said, "Since we've met you here, young friend, I'll take you to your seat."

Lu Zhengdao said, "Senior, you've worked hard. Why don't you go to the nearest town to rest for a while?"

Xu Shou waved his hand and said, "No need for trouble, I have to hurry back to report."

Xu Shou paused, then transmitted his voice to Lu Zheng: "Your journal has caused quite a stir. Many powerful figures in the country have grievances against you. Considering the world around us, you still need to be more careful..."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder, senior."

Xu Shou smiled calmly, then transformed into a streak of colorful light and disappeared into the distance.

Lu Zheng watched Xu Shou disappear, then turned to look at the three groups of people in front of him.

One side consists of descendants of the previous dynasty, including members of the Shen Dynasty royal family; the other side consists of members of the An Kingdom royal family; and the other side consists of descendants of royal nobles from the Wei Kingdom.

The way these people came together struck Lu Zheng as somewhat peculiar.

Lu Zheng looked at An Dingyuan, gave them a brief introduction, and then said, "You two will likely be working together for a while from now on, so get along well!"

An Dingyuan blinked and asked, "Mr. Lu, what are we going to do from now on?"

Lu Zhengdao: "Let's learn how to work first, let's go..."

Lu Zheng waved his hand, leading everyone on a cloud ride to the nearest city.

Lu Zheng directly instructed the district officials to assign tasks to An Dingyuan and the others, starting with a period of labor reform.

Afterwards, Lu Zhengze and Miaokong continued north.

Meanwhile, the royal children of Anguo and Weiguo took off their fine clothes, put on plain clothes, and began their first lesson: spring plowing.

An Dingyuan held a hoe, looking at the boundless fields, his eyes filled with confusion.

The expressions of the others around them weren't much better...

After Lu Zheng arrived in Qingcheng, he also brought along the few people who had stayed in Qingcheng.

We'll bring back all the people we brought out of that secluded paradise.

The journey was smooth. After passing through the Buddhist temple, Lu Zheng activated the formation to send Miao Kong and the others back.

Upon entering the cave again, the people inside reacted even faster than last time, and soon some people came to greet them.

Lu Zheng also saw several elderly people who looked very old, but he vaguely sensed that they possessed terrifying power that should not be underestimated.

Zhao Wei was also among the newcomers. Seeing that Miao Kong and the others had returned safely, and that there were no outsiders besides Lu Zheng, he couldn't help but breathe a slight sigh of relief.

They have made many preparations these days, in case anything goes wrong, the entire cave might be destroyed.

Zhao Wei approached Miao Kong and asked, "What's the outside world like?"

Miao Kong opened her mouth, feeling a thousand words stuck in her throat, unsure where to begin.

A person nearby quickly took out a magical artifact and used it to recreate some of the scenes seen outside, while also providing explanations. (End of Chapter)